Combating the menace of midges

As the summer holiday season gets underway Country Life explores new ways to tackle the greatest challenge of the Scottish outdoors – getting away from the midges

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A summer in Scotland conjures up images of rugged scenery, clear streams and lush greenery. The downside is the not so romantic midgey bites which accompany any outdoors activity north of the border - to the point that it can even put people off visiting. But fear of bites should be no reason to avoid the otherwise beautiful countryside.

With this in mind, Advanced Pest Solutions (APS), a company based in Edinburgh, have done extensive research into the problem of midges. According to Dr Blackwell from APS, midges start their hunt for us using smell, detecting CO2 and a whole cocktail of other body odours - it seems that it's the release of CO2 in our exhaled breath that guides a midge to its prey. What APS has done is combine scientific research into biting insect populations and behaviour with technology to produce solutions to minimise the impact the insects have on individuals and businesses throughout the country.

Those travelling to Scotland this summer are strongly advised to check The Scottish Midge Forecast before packing. This website offers real time analysis - a bit like the Met Office - of where the most midges are congregating with over 50 locations rated from 1-5 and proves indispensible help when planning how much insect repellent to buy.

midge-forecast

Once you're at your destination, it is also possible to keep updated through the brand new Iphone application out this summer which offers the same service on the move. This way you will always be one step ahead of every outdoorsy person's nemesis.

Obviously there are the conventional ways of beating the bugs, but there are many different theories surrounding how to keep the beasties at bay. Be warned, the methods that rely on smell may not only repel bugs, but also everyone around you. These are not advised for a camping holiday for two; you might find yourself very lonely

Top 10 Midge Repellents

1. Lemon Balm 2. Chamomile 3. Lots of Garlic 4. Citronella 5. Eating Marmite throughout your holiday 6. Skin So Soft from Avon (used by the Marines) 7. Chain Smoking - midges hate pipe and cigarette smoke (one piece of research claims that thanks to the smoking ban we are seeing a lot more of the pests in pubs, restaurant and bars.) 8. Greek Oregano 9. Neem Oil 10. Lavender

Country Life
Country Life

Country Life is unlike any other magazine: the only glossy weekly on the newsstand and the only magazine that has been guest-edited by HRH The King not once, but twice. It is a celebration of modern rural life and all its diverse joys and pleasures — that was first published in Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year. Our eclectic mixture of witty and informative content — from the most up-to-date property news and commentary and a coveted glimpse inside some of the UK's best houses and gardens, to gardening, the arts and interior design, written by experts in their field — still cannot be found in print or online, anywhere else.

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